Dancer of Gor

Slave girls must address all free men as "Master." Commonly, however, the expression "my Master," when it is used, is reserved for the actual master of the girl, he who is her literal master, he who literally owns her. For example, when I was in Argentum it was proper for me to use the expression «master» to the men of Tyrrhenius, and indeed, to all free men, but the expression, "my Master," if used, would have been appropriate, suitably, addressed only to Tyrrhenius. To be sure, sometimes a girl will use the expression "my Master" to a man who is not her literal master, to suggest to him that he is to her even as would be her literal owner. Sometimes that is done in an attempt to wheedle with the male, or flatter him. It can be dangerous, however, as it might, say, earn her a cuffing. He knows, of course, he is not her literal owner. As Tupita used the expression though, in such a spontaneous, and heartfelt way, it expressed in its way, I think, a truth of her heart, that she in her heart belonged to him, that she in her heart was his slave.

"Try to stand, Master," urged Tupita.

But he crouched where he had, his hands on the guard of the sword, keeping himself upright with its aid.

"Get up, Master," said Tupita. "Try to stand. Try! Please, Master! We must hurry away, before the men come back!"

"It is too late!" cried Tela, fastened at the rail. I squirmed in my bonds, on the grass. I, too, like Tela, Mina and Cara, though I was not bound at the rail, was helpless.

"We could not find him," said Fulvius.

"Perhaps it is just as well," said Callisthenes.

"Coffle the sluts," said Fulvius to Callisthenes. "We will take them to the wagon. I will finish this fellow off."

"No!" cried Tupita.

"He is on his feet," said the fellow with the bandaged arm.

Mirus had struggled to his feet, holding the sword. "Get behind me," he said to Tupita.

"Master!" she said.

"Now," he said.

She obeyed.

"Ah, Sempronius," said Fulvius to the fellow with the bandaged arm, "look at this!" This was the first time I had heard the name of the man with the bandaged arm.

"I see," said Sempronius.

"There is no point now in your squeamishness," said Fulvius. "You see? There he is! He is up and ready, prepared for a fair and proper fight."

"He can scarcely stand, he can scarcely hold his sword," said Sempronius. "Such upon occasion are the fortunes of war," said Fulvius.

"Take the women, and let him go," said Sempronius.

"You may not have this woman," said Mirus, indicating Tupita.

"Let them take me away!" she begged.

"No," he said.

"I choose not to leave an enemy behind me," said Fulvius. "Do you gainsay me in this?"

Fulvius, I suppose, if nothing else, understood that Mirus, if he survived, would be likely, sometime, to pursue them, perhaps for his honor, perhaps to recover Tupita, or me, perhaps to avenge Hendow.

Sempronius shrugged. "You are first here," he said. "Your sword, if nothing else, makes you so."

"On guard, my friend," said Fulvius to Mirus.

"No!" wept Tupita.

"Back, slave!" said Sempronius. "Let him have at least the dignity of dying on his feet, with a sword in his hand."

Mirus struggled to lift the blade. He held the hilt with both hands.

"Look!" said Tupita, pointing out, over the meadow, behind Fulvius and Sempronius. Callisthenes was to one side. He had delayed in releasing the girls from the rail, to coffle them, apparently choosing to postpone his work until the resolution of the pending affray with Mirus.

Fulvius stepped back a few steps, and turned to look. Sempronius, half turned, was watching something. He removed his blade from his sheath. I heard, too, to my left, and behind me, the blade of Callisthenes leave its sheath.

I tried to rise up a bit on my knees, but, tied as I was, wrists to ankles, I could not do so. I could see little more than the high grass from where I was. "You could not find him," said Mirus. "But it seems he has found you." I could then see, approaching over the grass, a solitary figure.

"It is a brigand," said Fulvius. "He is masked."

I gasped. I feared for a moment I might die. My heart began to beat wildly. I did not wish to faint. I suddenly felt great heat, helpless heat in my belly. It seemed my thighs flamed. I was bound helplessly. My responses were suitable for a slave. I hoped the men could not smell me. Then I was terrified.

"His features are well concealed," said Callisthenes.